Another wondrous train journey, Hiroshima to Tokyo, aboard yet another Shinkansen, where during the journey we were treated to an amazing view of Mt Fuji. The curtain of clouds that had blighted our view for the entire journey suddenly parted and between them lay the majestic, snow capped, Mt Fuji, perfect and beguiling.
Returning to Tokyo we had very little on our agenda apart from visiting the home of ASIMO the human-like robot and a visit to the famous Tsukiji fish market.
Pushing the boat out ever-so-slightly we took residence in the harbour side Intercontinental Tokyo Bay where on check-in we were upgraded to an amazing Executive room giving us a stunning view across the harbour to Rainbow Bridge. Our view of Tokyo Bay was enhanced just a little by the fact it had floor to ceiling windows and a sofa, carefully placed to enjoy it.
The stunning room and its perfect position were the only plusses with this hotel as the clientele, it seemed mostly Western cruise ship cattle, who cluttered up all the public areas with huge cases and loud chattering, meant the hotel didn’t need to rely on anything but mediocre customer service as most people were only passing through. Even checking in I was only served once the receptionist had checked that nobody else more important (his words, not mine) than my humble Gold Executive card level was waiting. This was the only hotel we used that exhibited such customer service where it stood out as being below par in all departments.
To the disgust of the concierge, over familiar with ushering cruise ship cattle in to coaches or taxis, we ignored the open taxi door and walked to the Metro stop, just yards away. Minutes later we were standing in Odaiba Island home to a huge number of museums, entertainment venues and shopping arcades. This location was one of the major reasons for our visit to Japan, a visit to the Science Museum to visit the amazing ASIMO. Catching glimpses of ASIMO on UK TV and in magazines etc, we expected it to be a bit of a battle to even catch sight of him, but to our delight, ASIMO is rather common place in Tokyo and we had front row positions to witness one of his many appearances. And what a delight it was. Captivating and more ‘human’ than we expected ASIMO was charming in every way.
While on Odaiba Island it was interesting to see how the Japanese relax and entertain themselves. We took in some shopping, dined in a bay-side restaurant and visited the HUGE Toyota museum, where it was possible to drive ANY of their current range around a city mock-up complete with crossings, roundabouts and traffic lights and rode the giant ferris wheel that we could see illuminated at night from out hotel room window.
Coinciding with the start of the rush-hour we rode the crowded Metro back to the hotel, marvelling at the patience of our fellow travellers who would all politely file off the train to allow a fellow passenger off at their stop, then all politely file back on again to continue their journey. Something I feel London Underground commuters would riot over !!!!
Day two we took a short walk to the Tsukiji Fish Market, once ‘the’ place to buy your fish, but now more of a spot for tourists to tick off on their ‘must see’ check list. Business carries on around you and tourists seem to be tolerated, but it does feel as though you shouldn’t really be encroaching on their patch. Wandering the rows of stores, selling all sorts of goodies from t-shirts to Japanese Green Tea, was a delight though and well worth the visit. One store, selling green tea, a rather straight faced and dour chap offered us a sample. While supping the delightful pale green liquid we were instructed in the ways of brewing it whilst being offered packs at a bargain price, I commented on his incredibly good English accent, where upon he informed us he came from Kent and wasn’t very happy at all about being back in Japan for ‘accidentally’ straying outside the conditions of his UK VISA.
Following our adventures in the fish market we strolled a few blocks to one of the main shopping streets. Mostly top end stores, so window shopping was the order of the day. Bargain prices in tech stores like Apple need to be investigated carefully as UK Duty Free allowances are actually VERY low and in our experience, don’t be tempted by the Tax Free ‘extra’ discount.
Strolling back to the Intercontinental we stumbled upon what looked like a private garden, noting the opening times we thought we’d explore more in the morning before moving on.
The evening was once again spent watching Tokyo Harbour come alive as the sun set with the Odaiba Island Ferris Wheel playing its light show and the Rainbow Bridge performing a delightful light show at 21:00.
On our last morning in Tokyo we headed to the park we’d found the day before, Hama Rikyu, a floating garden built on the edge of the harbour. What a delight it was too. Amazing ornamental lakes, cherry trees still in blossom, tea house, a traditional Japanese summer house, several ladies in traditional dress taking a stroll and a couple in traditional wedding dress having their wedding photos shot. The park was delightful. An oasis of calm nestled amidst the tower blocks on three sides of it and the passing elevated highway.
Cheap Sushi and green tea ice cream were picked up in a little shop and we sat in the sun enjoying the peace. Finally, we took tea in the tea-house, perched over one of the lakes. Taking our shoes off we once again enjoyed the view, the peace and the green tea and Mochi. Truly a gem of a place.
Retrieving our bags from reception we boarded the metro picking up a local train out to the airport. The metro signage was a little confusing and we almost missed our connection.
Our last hotel, a very run of the mill airport hotel, operated a regular shuttle service to and from the airport which we picked up. Our tiny room was just about adequate for our short nights stay, but it was a bit of a culture shock from our previous good finds. Asking for an iron at reception caused great consternation, and we eventually ended up attempting to press, very unsuccessfully, the creases out of our clothes in the trouser press !!!
The buffet breakfast was chaotic too with many empty cereal jars not refilled and the hot breakfast not topped up either. Coffee and tea was also in short supply. Not good at all !!!
mrandmrsyoung 